An unfamiliar time and day for my usual wander, pre-FPL deadline. It’s dark and cold outside but, just for you, I’ll go there anyway.
The FPL captain remains a problem for us all. There’s a presumption that Ferguson will hand Tevez a start, which does seem likely. That will mean a rest for one of Rooney, Berbatov or Ronaldo. It’s the latter that’s the big headache of course. Potentially, Ronaldo could cut loose against the Hammers but with the threat of being rested and a lack of form (in comparison to last season) hanging over him, there are clearly doubts on the merits of making him captain.
Plenty of FPL managers got burned at Goodison on Saturday and they won’t be keen to revisit the idea of another insignificant return from their prize investment. Right now, with just over half an hour to go, I’m sticking with him but I’m certainly wavering. Clearly, with our captain poll neck and neck, there’s plenty of you deliberating too.
Lampard is my trusty alternative, and while we’re in the blue corner, there’s talk of Joe Cole returning tomorrow night at Hull. He’s returned to training according to Wilkins. He may start on the bench but regardless, Kalou and Malouda will now be under threat.
Over at the Emiratres Wenger’s been scaring the pants off me with talk of rotating his troops. The explosive entrance of Adebayor at Upton Park will have have reassured the Arsenal boss that he can rotate and get away with it. Not good news for us fantasy managers, who will now have to track Van Persie and Adebayor. The midfield, Fabregas aside, looks like a rotation minefield. Good luck if you fancy walking through that chasing a cheap Diaby or Denilson. The latter is back in the squad for tomorrow night and could well start as Wenger begins his new policy.
Tim Cahill looks a very decent mid-price offering given Everton’s forthcoming fixtures. The perfect solution to those fidgeting over the output of Wright-Phillips or Ashley Young of late. I’d advise patience though. There are still no assurances that Cahill will go straight into the lineup, particularly if Moyes goes with 4-4-2. That would apparently mean he’d have to choose between Cahill and new signing Fellaini. Doubtful given that Fellaini found the net on Saturday.
Finally, here’s some more last minute team news before the FPL deadline…
All the talk is that Kinnear will go for goals tonight and start with both Barton and Gutierrez. Geremi is set to benched and there’s also speculation that Enrique will return for Bassong at left back.
West Ham will be without skipper Lucas Neill once again according to this report on the marvelous “Knees Up Mother Brown”. Tristan and Noble are also absent, while Cole is suspended. Behrami is set to return however.
That’s about it then. As always – I wish you all a profitable fantasy gameweek. See you on the other side.